The Pogue's beloved Christmas anthem 'Fairytale of New York' is currently in a hotly contested competition to become the UK's Christmas number 1. If the track were to reach the coveted spot, it would be the first time in the 36 years since its release.

The track currently sits in fourth place, behind Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' which tops the chart and Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas'. 'Fairytale of New York' is also behind the non Christmassy' track 'Lovin on Me' by Jack Harlow which currently holds the number 3 position.

'Fairytale of New York' lost out on the Christmas number 1 spot on the UK charts in 1987 when it was released to the Pet Shop Boys' 'Always on My Mind'. In Christmas 1987, the Pogues' track ranked at its peak position of number 2.

However the track has made a reappearance in the UK charts every year since 2005. In the wake of the death of frontman Shane MacGowan, there has been a fan campaign to see the track reach the number 1 spot for the first time in the UK.

It's been announced that the Pogues will be released  special, limited edition vinyl release of 'Fairytale of New York' next week in aid of the Dublin Simon Community.

The new release of the modern festive classic will certainly see its chances for success as 2023's Christmas Number 1 single heavily increased.

The song has reached number 1 in the Irish Charts twice, once on the year of release in 1987, and once in 2023, in light of the frontman's passing.

Victoria Mary Clarke, the widow of Shane MacGowan said on BBC Radio that the possibility of the track reaching the number one spot "it would be nice wouldn't it?".

Continuing she said: "It should be number 1. It absolutely should".

The UK Christmas number one is set to be announced on 22nd December live on BBC Radio 1's The Official Chart show.